The tight end position remains a fantasy wasteland, and it proves to be so again through the first month of 2024. There have been just 21 touchdowns by tight ends this season, the fewest since 1992 through Week 4.
Despite the lack of options, fantasy players may receive some good news this week. Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku, who missed Week 1 with an ankle sprain, is rumored to return for Week 5 against the Washington Commanders.
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram is also a candidate to return after suffering an injury during warmups in Week 2. Cardinals tight end Trey McBride, a popular sleeper who leads the position, entered the NFL’s concussion protocol in Week 3 but could return in 2019. Week 5.
Fantasy teams that invested in the position early in the draft were disappointed. Travis Kelce, Sam LaPorta, and Mark Andrews were late starters, and suddenly fantasy teams had a much harder start/sit decision for tight ends. Kelce started 2024 with an uncharacteristic slump.
Week 5 brings another opportunity for teams to make a statement. Here’s a breakdown of who should start and who should sit at tight end in Week 5 of the fantasy football season.
NFL STATS CENTRAL: Latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats, and more.
Lachie Rice Latest: When will Lachie Rice be back? Injury update for Chiefs WR
Fantasy Football Starters: Week 5 TE
Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals
On Sunday, the Bengals will face the Baltimore Ravens in a big AFC North matchup. The Ravens’ defense was solid against the run, but turned into a pass funnel.
Baltimore is allowing the third-most passing yards overall entering Week 5. He also allows the second-most receptions (29 yards) and yards to opposing tight ends (327). Gesicki is coming off his worst statistical performance of the season, but the Bengals took an early lead and relied on the run game against the Panthers. This game has the highest total of Week 5, and we can expect plenty of scoring opportunities.
Dallas Cowboys starter Jake Ferguson returned from a sprained MCL suffered in the team’s Week 1 game and led the team with six catches for 95 yards against the Ravens defense.
Tyler Conklin, New York Jets
The New York Jets will face the Vikings in their first game of the 2024 NFL season in London. The Vikings are off to a great start, with Brian Flores’ defense flying all over the field. Minnesota has the third-highest pressure rate (43.6 percent) and only four rushes. This leads me to believe that Aaron Rodgers will be looking to get the ball out quickly and his big tight end will be a safety valve.
The Vikings play zone defense on 83.1% of their plays, the most of any team in the NFL. Conklin has completed over 90 percent of his routes in all four games this season and was targeted eight times in Week 4. Minnesota allowed the fifth-most receptions to tight ends. A tight end that runs this many routes is worth adding to the lineup.
Fantasy Football Rankings: Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings: 30 Gainers and Fallers
Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers
Jordan Love returned last Sunday and his receiving options were excellent as a result. Craft was one of the beneficiaries, completing 6 of 9 targets for 53 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Christian Watson suffered a high ankle sprain and will miss time giving Kraft and his teammates more goals.
The Packers had a delicious matchup against a struggling Rams defense that allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends and last in defensive pass DVOA for the position.
Fantasy Football Sit ’em: Week 5 TE
David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
The Browns’ offense hasn’t been explosive, but they should get key pieces back in Week 5 against the Washington Commanders. After a great season in 2023, you may have drafted N’Joku as a week-to-week starter, but I recommend waiting another week before adding him to the lineup.
The ultra-athletic tight end is recovering from a high ankle sprain. There is a risk of reinjury, and the managers have allowed the fourth-fewest yards and receptions to the position. Deshaun Watson will continue to rely on Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy.
Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans
The Houston Texans will face off against the Buffalo Bills in a clash of AFC powerhouses in Week 5. Don’t expect a lack of offense in this game, but Dalton Schultz hasn’t been productive throughout the first month of the season. Nico Collins is the alpha of Houston’s offense. Expect that to continue on Sunday.
With Matt Milano out, Buffalo is vulnerable at tight end, but Schultz doesn’t have enough targets alongside Collins, Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell.